Steuben County legislators have approved a plan to provide legal representation at arraignments for any criminal defendant charged with a crime and eligible for public defense. The key element of the Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) plan, mandated by the state, calls for off-hour arraignments to happen at the county Public Safety Building in Bath. In the past, arraignments have taken place in one of 39 town courts throughout the county. Steuben officials say the task of sending public defenders and district attorneys to many of the town courts was inefficient, costly, and time consuming. Steuben’s CAP calls for local judges and justices from the 39 courts to cover arraignments on a rotating basis at the public safety building. Attorneys from the Public Defender and District Attorney’s offices also will be present at the arraignments. The county Legislature has also approved the creation of five Deputy Sheriff positions, with the immediate hiring of two county deputies to transport defendants from the cities of Corning and Hornell. The measure will reduce the demand on city police departments. The cities have agreed to a plan to reimburse the county for a portion of the cost of transport through sales tax revenues.

Joint District Approved by Town of Corning:

After a public hearing Wednesday night, the Town of Corning board voted, unanimously, in approval of a establishing a joint fire district with the Village of South Corning. While the town doesn’t have its own fire department, it does have jurisdiction over the East and North Fire Departments; they would be included in the new fire district. If all parties approve, the new district would help alleviate both governments liability, and allow for more shared services. It’s now on the Village of South Corning to decide whether or not to join, and will be holding a meeting about it on tonight at 7 p.m. in the Village Hall. The Gibson Fire District No. 1 has declined to join.

Today’s the Last Day to Sign Up for NYS Healthcare Plan:

The deadline to enroll in a New York State qualified health plan is today. New Yorkers have until midnight to do so. According to the Department of Health more than 4.7 million people have enrolled through the Marketplace so far, an 8 percent increase in enrollees from 2018. You can enroll in a health plan online at https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/, with the help of an in-person assistor, or by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777.

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes:

Frigid temperatures bring a lot of challenges, and one you could face in your own home is frozen pipes. According to State Farm, it paid out $37 million in claims to New Yorkers alone last year for frozen pipes. Here are some tips to help you prevent them: set your thermostat at the same temperature during the day and night. A trickle of hot and cold water could keep your pipes from freezing, and open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under appliances. If you plan to travel, set the thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees and shut off and drain the water system. You should also ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house. If your pipes do freeze, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water and never try to thaw a pipe using an open flame.

$100K Donated to United Way of the Southern Tier:

The United Way of the Southern Tier’s Kids on Track program is getting a helping hand from Cornell Capital, the parent company of Corelle Brands, who has donated $100,000. The goal of the program is to ensure children are reading proficiently by age eight. The money will scale the strategies of the literacy program including home visitations, parent education, and summer learning opportunities.

Volunteers Needed for Wreath Cleanup at Bath Nat. Cemetery Feb. 2nd:

Volunteers are being sought to help with the retrieval and cleanup of wreaths that were placed in Bath National Cemetery during Wreaths Across America Day. Cleanup will be this Saturday, February 2nd at 9 a.m. No sign-up or registration is required to participate. Parking will be at the back of the Bath VA museum building where instructions will be announced for proper cleanup procedures. It’s suggested to bring a rake or broom. Participants should dress based on weather conditions.